RO GAIHI SA LIWAN OWA IT BATASAN
By: Iris P. Concepcion

Loosely translated, this means: Anyone who urinates outside has no manners.

It just sounds great, in intent and purpose, in the vernacular of my dear, departed father.

A friend told me I must be out of my wits (I am paraphrasing his lament) having ended up in his hometown-neighboring island at this time, but here, I saw some interesting destinations I had captured in my phone camera i.e.:

1. A cathedral with flat t.v. screens inside. These are in lieu of projectors for the singing portions in masses.

2. A long bygone period of mannequins dolled-up and displayed in glasses like what the old "sastres" would do. I had a pic of a woman "rebulto" in gold, shining bra.

3. Being served by a gracious waiter (gay) inside a restaurant with flourescents shaped like spaceships. I devoured the tastiest and most delicious "sisig" I've had in my whole life in this place. Its serving was huge. I had the remaining portion wrapped. I surprised the waiter with a glutton request of putting additional portions to my food loot. Gladly, he obliged with the whisper : "I added more"; meaning, it could be eaten by three additional people. That's the reason I could not name this hole-in-the-wall eating hide.

4. I bought pyjamas that come in three pieces at less than a hundred inside a mall that has the greatest male's emblem (in my book) on it. It is like my thrift shop but with an airconditioning unit.

5. I again walked, confident even without directions, following nothing but the yellow ribbons.

You do not realize how many galleries I need to pass to get this thread through.

But then, you just have to read it.

I am just thankful for the helping hands who had helped me out as I stride past the slashed points. I am gladdened by the recent turn-out of base pulsing and I see encouraging bursts of sunshine despite all the conditioning of wan-ness in this recent kaleidoscope.

Thank you.